Pastoral Resident Program

In 2008, our church was blessed with a generous gift from the William Cory estate.  Pastor David gathered a small group to discern and pray to God, asking that we be faithful in the use of this gift.  We felt led to use the money for something that would benefit a large cross section of the congregation and that would allow us to be excited about what we can contribute. 

In August 2008 the session approved the recommendation that we use this money to nurture and support new ministers with an internship or residency. After two years of preparing, praying and waiting, David and Alex met at a morning prayer service hosted by the local ministerial association. The Session approved the hiring of Alex Kindred as Pastoral Resident and he began on Oct 16, 2010.

Alex will be here 12 months or so and will be involved in every aspect of ministry, from preaching and teaching to pastoral care, mission and administration.  We will seek additional money to perpetuate this important ministry. 

This residency program works here because we can provide a recent graduate with hands-on learning as he/she discerns where God is leading them next.  They are able to learn in a medium-size congregation with a broad range of responsibilities.  These responsiblities include worship leadership, preaching, pastoral care, teaching, leadership & administration and mission, outreach and ecumenical activity.  The resident reflects on their pastoral functioning and learning with David and with a small group of congregation members who provide feedback and support.  All of this without being in the "hotseat" of a first ordained call! 

The congregation has been blessed--we want to be a blessing to others! 

"I grew up just across the Mississippi near Buffalo Prairie on a small farm where my parents and I raised Black Angus cattle. I attended Rockridge High School and was raised mostly in Pentecostal churches. In 2003, I began studying theology and history at Luther College; amid the joys and hardships of struggling with what it means to be a thinking Christian in the 21 ^st century, I began to feel called to the ministry. Later attending the University of Chicago, I graduated with my Master of Divinity. Last year, I served as chaplain resident at the Mayo Clinic and worked primarily in psychiatric and oncology. Currently my chief interest is pastoral theology; I hope to someday be ordained in the United Church of Christ and specialize in either congregational care or psychiatric chaplaincy. In my free time I enjoy reading, gardening, and folk music. I look forward to learning more about the church and the community of faith here at First (and only!) Presbyterian. I am partnering with Pastor David to get a glimpse of the whole spectrum of parish ministry, including preaching, teaching, and pastoral care."

Our goal is to perpetuate this important ministry.  You may help us do so by designating financial gifts or memorials to our residency program.  

If you are a student looking for a great place to expand your learning in preparation for parish ministry, or to simply learn more (upcoming openings, responsiblities and a sample work agreement), please contact David at muscpastor@gmail.com. 

"And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best..."  Philippians 1:9-10a.